Feb 10, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Our Lady of Lourdes
Tuesday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
World Day of the Sick 2025
First reading Genesis 1:20-2:4
On this World Day of the Sick, as we reflect on the creation account from Genesis, we are reminded that humanity is uniquely fashioned in the image of God. This divine imprint is not only a gift but also a call to responsibility. If God, out of love, created the world and entrusted it to us, then our stewardship must extend beyond mere care for the environment—it must embrace care for one another, especially the most vulnerable. The sick, the weak, and the suffering bear a special place in God’s heart, and in them, we encounter the face of Christ. Our Lady of Lourdes, whose intercession is sought by so many who suffer, points us to this truth: compassion is not an option but a duty. In tending to the sick, we honor both the Creator and the sacredness of life itself, living out the love in which we were made. As Pope Francis reminds us in his message for this day, “Suffering always brings with it a mysterious promise of salvation, for it makes us experience the closeness and reality of God’s consoling presence”. With our closeness to those who suffer, we can be part of that divine presence. In recognizing the image of God in every person, especially the sick and the suffering, how can I become a more compassionate presence in their lives, reflecting God’s love through my actions and care?
Don Giorgio
Feb 9, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Scholastica, Virgin
Monday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
First reading Genesis 1:1-19
In the account of creation found in Genesis 1:1-19, we see that God brought everything into existence out of nothing, demonstrating His boundless power and divine will. His act of creation was not arbitrary but flowed from His very nature, which is love. Love, by its essence, seeks to give, to create, and to bring forth life. Thus, the universe and all it contains are expressions of God’s overflowing goodness. This is why, after each stage of creation, God looked upon His work and declared it to be good. The goodness of creation reflects the perfection of its Creator, revealing that everything brought into being has value and purpose. Creation, then, is not merely a sequence of events but an unfolding of divine love, where light, land, seas, vegetation, and celestial bodies were all formed as part of God’s harmonious and intentional design. Let’s reflect: How do I recognize and respond to God’s love in the beauty and goodness of creation around me?
Don Giorgio
Feb 9, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First reading Isaiah 6:1-2,3-8
On the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the first reading from Isaiah 6:1-2,3-8 presents the prophet’s profound encounter with God, where he receives his mission. This passage reminds us that in any mission, there must be someone who is sent by God. Isaiah’s vision of the Lord’s glory fills him with awe and humility, making him acutely aware of his unworthiness. Yet, through divine purification, he is transformed and made ready to respond to God’s call with the words, “Here I am, send me!” This pattern of divine commissioning is seen throughout salvation history—whether in the prophets, the apostles, or the saints—highlighting that true mission originates not from personal ambition but from God’s initiative. It is He who chooses, purifies, and sends, ensuring that His messengers act not by their own authority but as instruments of His will. This reading invites us to reflect on our own calling: Are we open to recognizing God’s invitation, allowing Him to purify us, and courageously stepping forward to fulfill the mission He entrusts to us? Let’s reflect: Am I open to recognizing God’s call in my life, and do I trust that He will equip me for the mission He entrusts to me, despite my weaknesses?
Don Giorgio
Feb 7, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of week 4 in Ordinary Time
Saint Jerome Emilian
Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First reading – Hebrews 13:15-17,20-21
In this passage is the prayer that the God of peace may equip us with everything necessary to accomplish His will, shaping us into what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ. This transformation occurs in Christ, enabling us to live out God’s will through all good actions. One such action is the generous sharing of our resources with others, which the author describes as a sacrifice—an offering that is pleasing to God. By willingly giving to those in need, we do more than perform an act of charity; we participate in the sacrificial love of Christ Himself, who offered the perfect sacrifice for our redemption. Thus, every act of generosity becomes an expression of worship, a tangible sign of our communion with Christ’s own self-giving love. In this, we find the perfect model in the Blessed Virgin Mary, who, in her complete surrender to God’s will, offered herself as a living sacrifice, giving not only her resources but her very life in service to God’s redemptive plan. Let’s reflect: How can I, like Mary, offer myself completely to God’s will, allowing my actions—especially my sacrifices and generosity—to become a true participation in Christ’s self-giving love?
Don Giorgio
Feb 6, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 4 in Ordinary Time
First Friday: Let us entrust ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
First reading Hebrews 13:1-8
This passage reminds us that Jesus Christ remains unchanging—He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This eternal consistency is the foundation of our Christian faith and calls us to live in a way that reflects His love and teachings. A personal relationship with Christ is not merely about belief but about transforming our lives to mirror His example. It requires us to love one another as brothers and sisters, fostering a spirit of kindness, forgiveness, and unity. It challenges us to be hospitable, welcoming strangers with open hearts, as an expression of our love for God. The passage also directs our attention to the marginalized, urging us to care for those in prison and those who suffer, recognizing in them the face of Christ. It emphasizes the sanctity of marriage, calling us to honor and uphold its sacredness. Furthermore, it warns us against the dangers of greed, encouraging us to be content with what we have, trusting in God’s providence rather than being consumed by material desires. Lastly, it exhorts us to remember and follow the example of those who have preached the Word of God to us, remaining steadfast in faith. In a world that is constantly changing, where values and priorities shift, the unchanging nature of Christ offers us a firm anchor, guiding us to live with love, integrity, and trust in His promises. Let’s reflect: In a world that constantly changes, am I truly anchoring my life in the unchanging Christ, allowing His love and teachings to shape my relationships, priorities, and daily actions?
Don Giorgio
